Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

[CitroJim]

Superb work Matt! Those lenses have come up rather well...

Loving the use of the old aux. belt

[c16rkc]

What a shame to see that cracking on the tread...

If you are feeling strapped I have a feeling that will get through the MOT, my Daimler always did (with two different test centers ) and that had tyres just as bad but much older. Of course the Daimler did nothing but travel between the bodyshop and my house... so I was not too worried

But when you can afford it, I too would get them changed; even if you just go for a cheap tyre. A friend of mine had a blowout and it's not an experience I'd want to be part of.

[MattBLancs]

Quick tyre size research, all off BlackCircles

215/55R16 V rated (standard fit)

Goodyear efficient grip performance 2
£150 per tyre!

Kumho Solus 4S HA32
£109.14 per tyre!

Swapping to 205/60R16 ( +1.6% diameter)
Goodyear efficient grip now £128.41 (note: H rated)
Can't find same spec Kumho,
Uniroyal Rain Expert 5, again H rated, £100.50 each

Swapping again to 205/55R16 ( -1.6% diameter)
Goodyear efficient grip 2 are now just £85.30 each!
Kumho Solus is down to £69.98.

Of these last two think the extra £15 is sensible step up.

Nothing purchased as yet, and reluctant to be drawn in to the Cyber Monday BUY NOW, BUY BUY BUY BUY! hysteria.

Size changes, I believe, within 3% is tolerable. Can't remember the source of this nugget of information.

Tyre dimensions all from https://tiresize.com/comparison/

[MattBLancs]

Hmmm, cyber Monday 15% off code drops the Goodyear in 205/55R16 down to £74.93.

Dammit, I hate these time pressure offers! Who's buying flipping tyres for Christmas anyway!?!

First fitting slot is same day as the MOT (at the same place) so that would either be beautifully efficient or delivery delays etc could derail the whole thing.
Some other garages listed have slightly earlier dates (30th seems to be the soonest)

Going to sleep on it, sod Cyber Monday

[mickthemaverick]

If you run VPN on your PC Matt you could set your location as Los Angeles and cyber Monday will still be going when you wake up in the morning!!

[myglaren]

Those Kumho's are double what I paid.

[bobins]

If it's any help, Blackcircles have 15%-ish off offers on (variously) Goodyears, Michelins, Kumho, Continental, Yokohama about every 6-8 weeks. The offers normally appear on a Sunday evening and last 24-ish hours. If you join their mailing list you get notice of the offers and - to be fair - very little else in the way of pestering.

[MattBLancs]

If it's any help, Blackcircles have 15%-ish off offers on (variously) Goodyears, Michelins, Kumho, Continental, Yokohama about every 6-8 weeks. The offers normally appear on a Sunday evening and last 24-ish hours. If you join their mailing list you get notice of the offers and - to be fair - very little else in the way of pestering.

Ah, excellent - good to know. I've used them quite often and on that basis I'm surprised they've not been emailing me (or perhaps not escaping the Spam folder) don't think I opted out, maybe GDPR or something has stopped them emailing.

15% is what's on offer now, so if that's just their typical "never to be repeated" (until the next time) offer rate then I'm less worried about going to bed instead of having a shopping marathon!

Thanks,

[myglaren]

[MattBLancs]

Ah, just had a thought - all those I quoted are BlackCircles fully fitted prices rather than delivered only.

Are the Oponeo prices fitted too?

[c16rkc]

I'd check Formula 1 autocentres, I usually get good prices there, I also check all my local independent garages too.

I don't find Black circles are always the cheapest. Camskill is also good for supply only, and Asda tyres can sometimes be good too.

[myglaren]

No, Oponeo are delivery only. My mechanic fits them for very little though. Around a tenner.

[c16rkc]

I stand corrected, Black circles is the cheapest price I can find for Khumo fully fitted.

[mickthemaverick]

Don't forget this option Matt, it worked for me and there are some bargains to be had eg: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126206796871 ... R7Cwt66CYw

or some Uniroyals:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/145045672503 ... R76wt66CYw

[MattBLancs]

Bit of an update, contrary to normal routine, did not visit the tip this weekend!

Needed to have a go at the FRIP joint replacement (MOT is tomorrow)

Drivers side first (as no worries of popping out the driveshaft from the gearbox)
FRIP bolts were VERY tight but pulling on the breaker bar then hitting back of it with the 4Lb hammer did the trick (and fortunately my 3/8" E bits survived! Don't have anything else so crossed fingers.

FRIP when loosened seems absolutely fine. Spins freely, no massive play. Certainly not the drop to bits loose collection of rusty rolling elements I've seen pictured variously online!

Lower wishbone outer bush (the one that is actually held in the aluminium upright) didn't look terrible but as about £4 for a new one, already "in stock" I've swapped that. My universal puller set did, just, fit ok (as lacking the cut out section of Chris' dedicated set) old one pulled out with much less drama than I'd imagined as it looked "happy where it was!"

Going to leave that FRIP alone I think, Other side to do before I loose the light.